Dingwall Combustion vs. Fender American Standard Precision V

[spindoc]

I'm in the market for a 5-string. I play a Ric in our band at church, and I've also got a Yamaha RBX-460. I love the P-bass sound from Motown and rock'n'roll from the 60's on up, but it also seems like everyone raves about the Dingwall. Problem is, I live nowhere near any store that carries either one. My budget is around $1000. What say ye?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I played a Dingwall Combustion, and it was nice, but I think lots of other basses are nice too. At the time I had a Yamaha TRB5II which has a 35" scale. I did not think that the Dingwall's B sounded any better than my Yamaha did.

 

[kbuschmann]

I used to own a Dingwall ABZ5. Liked it. Fanned frets not a problem. But if you want a P sound, get a P. I haven't heard the new Dingwall Super P yet, but you won't get it for a grand anyway.

 

[johnbassdoherty]

The new combustion ( version 2) has a b booster magnet fitted as standard, i have the version 1 combustion and fitted the booster kit and the B string sounds great, i had a yamaha as well (sold it to fund an ABII) and its a good bass but i find the B string better on the combustion, in fact i find all the notes on the fret board on all strings to be nice and even in tone, the combustion does offer a more traditional tone compared to the afterburner, but as mentioned if you want a p tone buy a fender p, but if you want a bass that can do more for your buck, you cant go wrong with the Dingwall.

 

[BurningSkies]

Or you can save your pennies even further and look at Sheldon's new Super-P or SPZ (superPz) the less expensive version of the Super-P.

 

[tjnkoo]

I own and absolutely love ny Dingwall ABZ5. It sounds more like a really, really good jazz bass rather than a P, and I would imagine the combustion is similar in tone. As far as comparison, I have tried the Fender American basses as well as the upper MIM basses and my Dingwall runs every Fender (including a 74' P) into the ground. You can't go wrong with Sheldon's basses. They feel like real quality instruments, and even the nicer Fenders just don't have the personal touch Dingwalls do. I got mine sight unseen for a graduation present, and I had never played or seen a Dingwall in person before. After a setup it was easily the best sounding and playing bass I've ever played. However as I and others have said, it doesn't sound like a P. I too would say check out the new Super P though. It'd be worth it. Hopefully I helped!

 

[aqsw]

If you want the p sound right now, buy the Fender, but if you can wait for a used Super P, there is no comparison between the two brands. DW kills Fender in every way. JMHO

 

[SpecialBlender]

I played a Dingwall Combustion, and it was nice, but I think lots of other basses are nice too. At the time I had a Yamaha TRB5II which has a 35" scale. I did not think that the Dingwall's B sounded any better than my Yamaha did.

I'm sitting right next to my Yamaha TRB5II that's only getting used for practice at home now. It got retired the very day my Combustion arrived. I love the feel & playability of it. First practice I took it to the rest of the band were blown away by how much better it sounded then my TRB.

I still like my Yamaha and it's like going to become a fretless but I don't love it the way I do my Combustion.

 

[spindoc]

Thanks for the input guys. The Super P looks like it'll be super sweet, but way out of my price range (and waiting for a used one will take forever in GAS-time). Guess I'm leaning toward the Combustion....

 

[SpecialBlender]

Thanks for the input guys. The Super P looks like it'll be super sweet, but way out of my price range (and waiting for a used one will take forever in GAS-time). Guess I'm leaning toward the Combustion....

I really don't think you regret it. One of the things that hasn't been pointed out yet is the active EQ on all of Sheldon's basses is very responsive. Subtle changes go along ways.

 

[Bocete]

You can get a Dingwall P pickup in a soapbar shell for your Combustion anytime. And SuperPs are not supposed to be too expensive I think, though not sure about the price.

 

[spindoc]

Depends on how you define expensive. Super P "minimum selling" price is $2625 for 5 string passive, add $450 for active (Super PZ with satin finish swamp ash is $375 less).

 

[Bocete]

That's higher then I expected. I assumed it will be in the AB-I range. Yeah, that's quite a difference.

 

[P. Aaron]

Bought my AM Standard Precision V for $1100.00. That's because I told my sales guy at GC to also throw in a fretless Squier JB and a RoadRunner case and DR Low Rider Nickles for the 5'er. The P came with one of those awesome SKB cases. I did have to order it.

Oh yeah, right outta the case, it played & sounded great!

 

[BurningSkies]

That's higher then I expected. I assumed it will be in the AB-I range. Yeah, that's quite a difference.

That IS in the AB1 range these days.

Times have changed...

Right now, the ONLY bass I have any desire for is a Dingwall Super-P. I'd like one done out early 60's style, either custom color (Shell Pink, Daphne Blue or Ice Blue), mint guard, Rosewood board.

But it's not in the cards for me anytime in the near or far future. I was playing a 34" 5 string the other night and it was just fun to play such a short scale instrument for a few minutes...Sorta awoke a feeling that I should think about one of these sometime.